The impact of Nkhaketse irrigation project on the agricultural livelihood of the community in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the impact of Nkhaketse Irrigation Project on the livelihood of the communities around the project. Furthermore, the study investigated how the challenges such as low crop yield affected farmer's livelihoods in the area. Irrigation farming has been identified as the backbone of rural development in the world in general and Lesotho in particular. Irrigated agriculture is seen as an important mechanism for creating jobs, poverty reduction and most particularly, to improve livelihoods and food security. In order to achieve the above objective, the study used qualitative research method in gathering data from the main specific objective formulated which was to identify the factors hindering the effectiveness of farmers working on Nkhaketse Irrigation Project. The result of the study shows that farmers are plagued with major challenges on the irrigation project which has hindered livelihoods in Nkhaketse Irrigation Project. These challenges include the following; lack of market, unskilled labour, lack of capital, restricted fields, lack of transport and theft of crops. Other challenges raised are financial support to the farmers on the project, low level of education among farmers, lack of ownership of land by farmers and lack of proper sanitation (clean water, sewerage and toilets) in the irrigation project. The study finally recommends that the establishment of cooperative will enable farmers to have access to market and capital. This will also enable them to have powers to influence the decision making process of the project to solve the problems that are facing their project. Furthermore, it was recommended that a well-fenced project on the project and a self-managed and sustainable security system supported by the government (Ministry of Agriculture) and other stakeholders would minimize theft of crops on the scheme